Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme
Introduction:
Safer Migration (SaMi) Program is a bilateral initiative between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland. It is implemented by the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security and 4 participating local governments (Dhulikhel, Mandandeupur Municipalities and Bhumlu, Roshi Rural Municipalities) of Kavrepalanchok district, Bagamati Province. Helvetas Nepal provides technical assistance to the program on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In Kavrepalanchok District, Dhulikhel Municipality and the Local Service Provider (LSP) organization Civic Forum were signed on 17th July, 2023 and the program activities were implemented until the 15th July, 2024.
Objectives:
- Proper protection of foreign workers and workers’ families.
- To provide workers with information, skills, counseling and support so that they can work safely and respectfully in the destination country.
- To make foreign employment more successful by enhancing the capacity of agencies related to foreign employment.
Key Activities:
- Providing information and consultation services.
- Conducting skill development training.
- Facilitating access to justice.
- Providing psychosocial counseling.
- Providing financial literacy training.
Expected Results:
Men and women migrants and their families, including marginalised groups, benefit more from migration and mitigate its social implications.
All spheres of government use effective mechanisms to protect the rights of migrants and their families.
Major Achievements:
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| The Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme successfully enhanced safe, informed, and dignified foreign employment by improving migrants' access to information, skills development, legal assistance, psychosocial support, and financial literacy. The programme also strengthened coordination among local governments, the District Administration Office (DAO), and other stakeholders to institutionalize safe migration services and safeguard the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their families. | |
| Improved Access to Information and Safe Migration Services | Successfully established and operated one Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) at the District Administration Office, providing information, counseling, and referral services to prospective migrant workers. |
| Provided information and consultation services to 16,236 individuals (9,311 males and 6,925 females) through the MRC. | |
| Reached an additional 2,003 individuals (1,073 males and 930 females) through three trained returnee volunteers. | |
| Conducted one in-depth orientation session benefiting 30 participants (20 males and 10 females). | |
| Organized one community orientation programme reaching 101 participants (56 males and 45 females), increasing awareness of safe and informed migration practices. | |
| Enhanced Access to Skills Development | Facilitated free pre-departure skills training for five prospective migrant workers (2 males and 3 females) in market-oriented occupations, improving their employability and preparedness for foreign employment. |
| Strengthened Access to Justice | Registered 30 cases related to foreign employment, including fraud, rescue, death, and other migration-related issues. |
| Successfully resolved 10 cases, providing legal assistance and counseling to affected migrants and their families. | |
| Facilitated NPR 250,000 in financial assistance and compensation for eligible migrant workers and their families. | |
| Expanded Psychosocial Support Services | Mobilized one trained psychosocial counselor to provide counseling services. |
| Delivered individual psychosocial counseling to 30 beneficiaries (2 males and 28 females). | |
| Conducted group psychosocial counseling sessions benefiting 86 participants (8 males and 78 females), helping migrant families cope with migration-related social and emotional challenges. | |
| Improved Financial Literacy | Mobilized one financial literacy facilitator and conducted four financial literacy classes. |
| Trained 86 participants (8 males and 78 females) on household financial management, savings, budgeting, and productive utilization of remittances to promote sustainable livelihoods. | |
| Strengthened Coordination and Institutional Capacity | Conducted regular meetings of the Local Government Programme Coordination Committee (LGPCC), Local Government Programme Management Committee (LGPMC), and Migrant Resource Centre Coordination Committee to improve programme coordination and governance. |
| Strengthened district and local Migrants' Rights Networks through capacity-building programmes and advocacy initiatives. | |
| Organized orientation programmes for employment service centre coordinators, police personnel, journalists, local elected representatives, health workers, and community leaders to enhance stakeholder understanding of safe migration, psychosocial support, and migrants' rights. | |
| Supported local governments in the development of migration profiles, contributing to evidence-based planning and migration governance. | |
| Conducted programme monitoring and review meetings involving relevant stakeholders to improve programme quality and accountability. | |
| Effective Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns | Broadcast regular radio jingles on safe migration and online labour approval through Prime FM 104.5 MHz, reaching a wide audience throughout the programme period |
| Printed and distributed 20,000 information materials (visiting cards) through the Migrant Resource Centre and outreach activities to improve public awareness of safe foreign employment services. | |
| Overall, the programme made a significant contribution to promoting safe, informed, and dignified foreign employment in Kavrepalanchok District. It strengthened local institutional capacity, enhanced access to essential migration services, increased public awareness, and improved the protection, wellbeing, and resilience of migrant workers and their families. |
Project information
- Geographic coverage 13 Local Levels of Kavrepalanchok District
- Project duration 12 months (17th July, 2023 to 15th July, 2024)
- Project Location Dhulikhel Municipality of Kavrepalanchok District
- Budget 6,500,000.00
- Funding partner's Dhulikhel Municipality
- Implementation Partner (a) District Administration Office (DAO) (b) Employment Service Centres (ESCs) (c) Migrant Workers Rights Protection Forum
- Target groups (a) Potential workers going for foreign employment. (b) Workers in foreign employment. (c) Workers returning from foreign employment. (d) Family members of workers in foreign employment.
